HBO’s ongoing prestige drama Industry, having just wrapped its third season, is a tough one to describe. It has drawn comparisons to other HBO shows that once occupied its prime airing slot — such as Succession and Euphoria — but Industry lacks the clearly defined overarching themes that characterize those series. Despite this, fans readily describe the visceral emotions it provokes. Quick, enthralling, and always threatening to pull the rug from under its characters, Industry’s third season appears to have finally settled into its own unique groove, setting it up as one of the must-watch shows of 2024.
Centered primarily on the trading floor of the fictional but high-profile London investment bank Pierpoint, Industry examines the professional and personal lives of the young professionals employed there. In its inaugural season, the show’s main characters were fresh graduates, and showrunners Mickey Down and Konrad Kay leveraged their naivety to introduce a sensational array of horrors inherent in the profession of finance. The second season garnered more critical acclaim, as Down and Kay returned with a more cohesive, finely-tuned narrative. The latest season similarly attracts attention for its sharp, dramatic writing that ensures each episode is packed with drama.
Myha’la Herrold returns as Harper Stern, who, after being fired in the previous season, finds herself relegated to a monotonous desk job as an assistant. Meanwhile, her former mentor Eric Tao (played by Ken Leung) enjoys a promotion at Pierpoint. This season gives Marisa Abela more room to explore her character Yasmin Kara-Hanani, the doomed heiress, who finds the eyes of the world on her as a scandal unfolds around her absent father. Harry Lawtey’s character Robert Spearing grapples with the decision of whether he belongs in the ruthless world of high finance.
Throughout the next eight episodes, Down and Kay craft scenarios that thrust these characters into their worst nightmares while their best dreams teeter on the edge. The resulting narrative feels like a volatile stock market graph, not unlike those scrutinized by Pierpoint employees. If financial jargon intimidates potential viewers, they can take heart knowing even the actors often do not grasp the intricate trades they execute on-screen. This constant element is central to Industry’s ever-evolving motivations.
Viewers do not need to decode the economic underpinnings to follow the drama; they simply need to understand the immediate emotional turmoil faced by the characters. The sting of betrayal when outsmarted by a protégé resonates powerfully, even without understanding the mechanics behind it.
. This emotional depth stems from strong writing and compelling performances by the ensemble cast, who consistently tap into primal human emotions.
The nuanced dynamics between Harper and Eric—constantly inspiring yet sabotaging each other—exist beyond the confines of Pierpoint. Yasmin and Robert’s storylines similarly extend beyond the bank, driven by their personal demons despite their professional aspirations. The characters of Industry thrive in a selfish world where a ‘happily ever after’ is nowhere in sight.
Industry remains a series eluding a clear-cut definition. The characters lack familial ties to label it a family drama and the frequent betrayals exclude it from the ‘coming-of-age with friends in London’ genre. The blurred lines between professional and personal lives hinder its classification as a workplace drama. Showrunners Down and Kay, who left their investment banking jobs to venture into television, aim to demonstrate the inherent inhumanity of such a profession. Their point is made not through moral preaching but by showing characters repeatedly making poor moral choices, much to the audience’s grim satisfaction.
What stands out this season is the crew’s adaptation from previous seasons, leading to a more grounded and immersive experience. Down and Kay streamline the show, maintaining one focal desk at Pierpoint while avoiding unnecessary details. They also introduce fresh faces, including Game of Thrones’ Kit Harrington as an eccentric old-money CEO, and Barry’s Sarah Goldberg as Petra Koenig, who collaborates with Harper to start a new firm. New graduates step onto Pierpoint’s trading floor, with Miriam Petche’s portrayal of Sweetpea bringing a refreshing perspective.
Industry’s third season achieved its highest viewership yet and expanded its fan base, a success reflected in a finale filled with dramatic swings. While generosity towards Industry’s characters is sparse, the show offers a rich experience for its audience. With its renewal for a fourth season, it’s clear that Industry promises high returns on the viewer’s investment.
Industry is available for streaming on JioCinema.
